Shooting experience of the M EV1 vs SL3 with M Lenses

[microview]

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Tried focusing M11P Safari using Visoflex and results were fairly good, but invariably checking through the RF window showed exact focus was not achieved. Anyway, RF far quicker – I haven't needed to go for the closer focus some M lenses now offer. Would use Q2/non-micro setting for that.

[SrMi]

1 hour ago, algrove said:

You sound like Sean R.

Funny how we both came to the same conclusion after using M lenses with EVFs 🤣. Yes, I borrowed the term "riding the aperture" from Sean Reid. 

I share his fear that newbies will not realize that you cannot precisely focus with the aperture stopped down.

Edited October 26 by SrMi

[Jon Warwick]

I tried my Visoflex 2 on the M11, and compared it to my SL2-S. I was indoors under LED downlights.

Comparing them side-by-side, i was surprised at the difference.

I'm trying to figure out what part of their specification particularly creates the differences, and hence what one should expect vis-a-vis the M EV1?

(i) the Visoflex 2 seemed to project a smaller image, and it was flickering (is that because of a slower refresh rate interacting with the LED lights in my room?)

(ii) the SL2-S seemed to project a notably larger, clearer image, with no flickering and no juddering of the image when manually focusing. Just all very smooth.

My questions are ....

* are all the SLs’ EVFs (SL2, SL2-S, SL3, SL3-S) identical in specification and performance?

* is the EVF on the M EV1 identical to what we have on these SL cameras - it seems "yes" for 5.76mp resolution, but what about size of the image projected into the viewfinder (magnification?) and also clarity (is there a different construction of the EVFs across the systems, and does will it make a difference? I seem to recall the EVF of the SL2s were built with the benefit of "optical glass" to enhance clarity?)

 

Edited October 27 by Jon Warwick

[LanceR]

On 10/26/2025 at 8:20 AM, Photoworks said:

is the EVF set to 60 or 120?

I have tried both.

[LanceR]

On 10/26/2025 at 8:23 AM, SrMi said:

The key to achieving critical focus with M lenses on EVF cameras is to "ride the aperture": open wide to focus, then close it to shoot.

This is how I achieve the best results, albeit a slower process.

[SrMi]

6 minutes ago, LanceR said:

This is how I achieve the best results, albeit a slower process.

I am used to that method with Visoflex on M11. However, with the magnified view, I may be able to focus well enough up to f/5.6 with a 28mm lens.

With M11, I switch to the rangefinder when I do not want to "ride the aperture." That is no longer an option.

[swatch]

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On 10/26/2025 at 10:15 PM, microview said:

Tried focusing M11P Safari using Visoflex and results were fairly good, but invariably checking through the RF window showed exact focus was not achieved. Anyway, RF far quicker – I haven't needed to go for the closer focus some M lenses now offer. Would use Q2/non-micro setting for that.

@microview thanks for your sharing which convince me rf is not suitable or challenging to achieve accurate focus for fast lenses.  I love rf experience and I should also accept its limitation.

[swatch]

On 10/26/2025 at 8:23 PM, SrMi said:

The key to achieving critical focus with M lenses on EVF cameras is to "ride the aperture": open wide to focus, then close it to shoot.

@SrMi this is slow in speed.  

What Leica should consider is the method of Nikon’s method in their SLR film camera system : AIS  lenses are always wide open in viewfinder no matter which aperture settings are, that benefit focusing, when user press the shutter there is a lever to stop down the lens at working aperture that have been pre-selected, that is instantly happened without further action from user/photographer.

Such mechanical change of M lenses and M camera with EVF will require effects and investment from Leica if the user experience is the important factor in selling.

[AdrianL]

On 10/24/2025 at 2:16 PM, HighlandLeica said:

I find using M lenses on my SL2s really enjoyable and intuitive - with the focus peaking on. For me, fast, more consistent. 

@Highland-leica Did you find focus peaking distracting during composition? Is that all you use to confirm focus? Thanks. 

Edited October 31 by AdrianL

[dem331]

On 10/29/2025 at 6:33 AM, swatch said:

@SrMi this is slow in speed.  

What Leica should consider is the method of Nikon’s method in their SLR film camera system : AIS  lenses are always wide open in viewfinder no matter which aperture settings are, that benefit focusing, when user press the shutter there is a lever to stop down the lens at working aperture that have been pre-selected, that is instantly happened without further action from user/photographer.

Such mechanical change of M lenses and M camera with EVF will require effects and investment from Leica if the user experience is the important factor in selling.

True Leica men/ women always shoot wide open, so this would be redundant 😎

[BWColor]

On 10/24/2025 at 4:22 PM, newtoleica said:

I played with a EV1 with my 24 lux and a WATE yesterday. 
live not used an SL, but the response was good, no obvious lag and it was quite quick.

Not as fast as a RF if used properly, but likely faster for a novice… which is the point I think. 

What rangefinder has viewfinder framing for 24mm?  I can’t even see a 28mm lens with a .72 viewfinder with my glasses on.. which they are on 100% of the time.  I can imagine using the full viewfinder without wearing glasses and looking through a .58 finder.

[FrozenInTime]

5 minutes ago, BWColor said:

What rangefinder has viewfinder framing for 24mm?  I can’t even see a 28mm lens with a .72 viewfinder with my glasses on.. which they are on 100% of the time.  I can imagine using the full viewfinder without wearing glasses and looking through a .58 finder.

Voigtländer Bessa R4M, R4A 25mm frame lines ( 21...50mm )

[BWColor]

1 minute ago, FrozenInTime said:

Voigtländer Bessa R4M, R4A 25mm frame lines ( 21...50mm )

Sure.. forgot.. some of my safe dwellers.  Nice cameras..

[SrMi]

On 10/29/2025 at 6:33 AM, swatch said:

@SrMi this is slow in speed.  

What Leica should consider is the method of Nikon’s method in their SLR film camera system : AIS  lenses are always wide open in viewfinder no matter which aperture settings are, that benefit focusing, when user press the shutter there is a lever to stop down the lens at working aperture that have been pre-selected, that is instantly happened without further action from user/photographer.

Such mechanical change of M lenses and M camera with EVF will require effects and investment from Leica if the user experience is the important factor in selling.

I do not think the M-EV line is significant enough to warrant developing a new line of lenses to address its shortcomings.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Focus shift is a thing with many older M lenses. I do not advise ALWAYS focusing wide open. Some lenses need to be focused stopped down.

Gordon

[IkarusJohn]

25 minutes ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

Focus shift is a thing with many older M lenses. I do not advise ALWAYS focusing wide open. Some lenses need to be focused stopped down.

Gordon

And the nice thing is, with exposure simulation on, metering and the unnecessary plethora of modes becomes redundant.

[Elliot Harper]

On 10/26/2025 at 8:23 AM, SrMi said:

The key to achieving critical focus with M lenses on EVF cameras is to "ride the aperture": open wide to focus, then close it to shoot.

And you get focus shift

Edited November 1 by Elliot Harper

[jaapv]

8 hours ago, AdrianL said:

@Highland-leica Did you find focus peaking distracting during composition? Is that all you use to confirm focus? Thanks. 

Much better if it is set to white. 

[Archiver]

On 10/26/2025 at 9:05 AM, MRJohn said:

M EVF pros vs SL3(s) for shooting M lenses:

less weight, smaller package

SL3(s) pros vs M EVF for shooting M lenses:

proper joystick for selection of magnification point, nice tilt screen for when that is helpful or required to take certain shots

What did I miss?

EV1 sensor is fully optimized for shooting M lenses as primary, as opposed to the SL3 which is designed for L lenses with some supporting microlens arrays and built in lens profiles for M lenses. Only a dedicated M camera will bring the best image quality from M lenses. Not many people are talking about this in relation to the EV1 vs everything debate.

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Hallo,

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[HighlandLeica]

On 10/31/2025 at 5:36 PM, AdrianL said:

@Highland-leica Did you find focus peaking distracting during composition? Is that all you use to confirm focus? Thanks. 

Yes, it can be - true.